31 December 2017

BeautyScope 417: Stick Insect


sticky green leaf
hugs my mirror
with tiny claws
weirdly wondrous design

27 December 2017

25 December 2017

23 December 2017

19 December 2017

BeautyScope 411: Wisteria Plied



binding and twining
holding each other tight
strong wisteria
heads up to do its job

15 December 2017

BeautyScope 409: Rainy Sunset

Photo by Aiden

fiery rain
starts streaming from the sky
aurora apocalypse

13 December 2017

BeautyScope 408: Beached Bluebottles




oo yuck!
someone left all these 
bottles on the beach
oh wait, they're bluebottles!
hmm, still yucky

8 December 2017

Creative Catchup

Greetings everyone!
I thought I'd catch you up on a few creative projects I've been working on lately.

Here is a youtube video I made with my new microphone.  Prior to now I've not had a microphone that will record my singing without blowing out.
Finally I treated myself, and I'm very happy with it.
So I attempted to do a youtube video, but my miming skills leave a lot to be desired.
Instead of scrapping it I thought it would be funny to share it with some weird trying-to-be-cool graphics to suit!



This illustrates something I feel is important in creating, remember to play and give yourself the freedom to make mistakes. When you do, just laugh and move on. Creating should be fun, not a serious chore! After all, you are creating something new. Who says it's wrong? It's never been made before!

Another venture I've been involved in over the last couple of years is a photo shoot which turned into a book. Talk about embracing imperfections!
I was asked to pose for a exhibition of queer people in Canberra. They asked us to suggest a location where we felt at home. I chose the arboretum, because for some reason that is where I feel most Canberran, which is big for this nomad. I didn't like the photo that emerged due to my scowly expression. They had me staring into the setting sun...squint, squint!
However they said it looked "strong" and "elegant", so I stifled my objections and perfectionist tendencies and ran with it. What do you think?



A couple of years later they have come out with a book called "Queerberra" and recently had the book launch.



During that month the photos from the book were randomly projected on a wall high in the foyer of one of our hotels. It is a surreal experience seeing yourself this way.
Here is a photo Cris took at the book launch after waiting phone poised until my photo flashed up. Such dedication and arm pain!



Finally, here are a few photos of some other creations.
This outfit started life as a wrap around dress which was too small. I picked it up secondhand of course, because I loved the quality of the fabrics. The top is a strong jersey and the bottom a thick linen. I removed the ties, added a button, enlarged the armholes (by cutting and leaving them raw!) and stitched down the front. I wear it with a singlet underneath to preserve my modesty and it all works really well!



Here is the detail of the scarf I knitted. It showcases the beautiful yarn so well and I feel very elegant in it. Do you see leaves or feathers?


The next outfit is a dress I made from a tablecloth and overdyed with eucalyptus and iron. It developed some holes due to the age of the tablecloth, and so I boro stitched some dyed silk on top. How to make something rubbish into something useful.  Just have a go!


Close up of the patching.


Here is the scarf I am wearing in the above picture. It was a lovely pale pink silk which I couldn't resist at the op shop. But it really did nothing for me, so I dyed it with the above dyes and careful folding with bulldog clips. Didn't it come out well? And a much better colour for me!


Cris snapped this shot of me with the photographer of "Queerberra" getting her signature.
See my scarf?


Breaking news
Australia just voted for marriage equality and it passed into law a couple of days ago. We have joined the rest of the enlightened world. Go Australia!

So mainly I want to encourage you to 'av a go' as we say over here, and try something creative.
You never know, it might be great!
Do you have anything you would love to create but are hesitant about? Have you had a go and found it worked out?
Or not, and laughed about it? I'd love to hear about it.

Til next time,
keep on creating!

Love,
Jazzy Jack

5 December 2017

BeautyScope 405: Glassy wave



some days waves
are just like molten glass
and I want to
photograph them all!

1 December 2017

23 November 2017

21 November 2017

BeautyScope 398: Starry lineup


 
every night
I peep through the branches
to see stars
peering at their reflections

17 November 2017

BeautyScope 396 : Root weaving

 
underneath
where no one sees
the trees weave
a mighty web
and hold firm

15 November 2017

Floriade 2017

 
Greetings everyone!
To continue my series on views around Canberra, I have a post full of photos from our annual flower festival, Floriade.
 
Right next to the park where it is held, is this water jet named after Captain Cook. It has recently been refurbished and shoots higher than ever. We love it! 
 
 
 

Miles led the way to the ferris wheel this year. That was his goal. You will notice in the video Aiden didn't join in. He has struggled this year with asthma, and had to wear a mask.

 

The festival is mostly tulips with underplanting, planted out in interesting shapes. Believe it or not, this is a tulip not a rose!

 

Miles decided that he had "renewed my fear of heights" once the ride had started. That dubious look and clutching hand are not posed for the camera!
 

However he did admit that the views from the top were magnificent.

 
You could see the patterns beautifully, and even see the water jet.
 
This year being a significant anniversary year (the number of which escapes me), they planted out the lake as they used to do in the old days. It is so pretty, and one of the highlights for me.
 
 

This is a Spring planting in the normal park just outside the gates. I think it is almost better! Shhh.
 

And we escape out of the bamboo maze...phew!

 
 
This was taken near another lake which happens to be in the local cemetery. One of my places I go for some quiet time.

 
So here is a video of us tripping the light fantastic at Floriade 2017.
 
Oh, and I thought I'd share my poem about the Captain Cook Water Jet:
 
piercing the lake's surface
the water jet stabs skyward
taunting and tilting at the clouds
a spike of liquid
with delusions of grandeur
~
 Jazzy Jack
13/02/01
 
Til next time,
keep on creating!
 
Love,
Jazzy Jack
 

13 November 2017

11 November 2017

9 November 2017

7 November 2017

BeautyScope 392: Wave perfection



 
 
I didn't realise I was analysing waves
until I did
this one is close to perfect
with its cylindrical form
its colour
and ah! its spindrift

5 November 2017

Where do we play?

Greetings my beautiful friends!

Recently I've posted a lot of photos from our beach holiday cabin, which has led to people understandably assuming we live there. So this post is designed to correct that, and give you a glimpse of our play space in our day to day lives.
We live 10 minutes walk away from a creek space which drops out of a dam holding up our local lake.
Here are a few shots of the local area. It is the wildest space in our vicinity, and while I love the beach more, it is a good second best. The bird calls are really lovely.

Taken during Winter near our lake.
 
 
Such serene reflections
 
Plenty of birds
 
Cockatoos fly around in gangs shrieking and swooping
 
Green spring blossoms!
 
Trees and water...hard to beat
 
My favourite pond below the dam
And of course I have a video to share on this topic
 
 
I hope you enjoyed your visit?
 
Til next time,
keep on creating!
 
Love,
Jazzy Jack